Airbus raises A320neo prices by 6.1%

Airbus has raised the price of its A320neo family aircraft by 6.1%, as well as the average list prices of other aircraft by 3.9%, effective Jan. 1.

Speaking at the EADS/Airbus press conference in Hamburg Tuesday, Airbus COO-customers John Leahy said the new price “reflects the strong demand for our modern, eco-efficient aircraft families. With competition amongst carriers heating up, any tool that helps cut their costs will pay handsome dividends. The A320neo offers a 15% fuel cost savings.”

According to Leahy, Airbus has a backlog of 4,437 aircraft as of Dec. 31, 201. In terms of global revenue, Airbus has a 54% net market share of $140.5 billion, compared to Boeing at $117.9 billion (46%).

Airbus will soon deliver its 5,000th aircraft from its Hamburg plant.

Leahy said that because the A330 twin widebody program is doing well, the company is considering putting sharklets on the aircraft “or increase maximum takeoff weight.” Airbus received 99 A330 orders in 2011. “With a total of 740 orders, we have a solid backlog for the next three-and-a-half years.  More customers came back to order more A330s,” he said.

Leahy noted that in 2011, 40% of all aircraft deliveries went to lessors, a growing trend owing to the debt crises in many markets. He dismissed fears of a financing shortage for aircraft deliveries as European banks scale back loans. Asian banks are rushing to fill a gap left by the reluctance of French banks to keep up their traditionally important role in financing aircraft as they struggle to raise enough dollars.

In 2011, 32%, or 174 delivered aircraft, have been financed via so-called customer debt financing.  European Club Assn.-supported deliveries took a 26% (138 aircraft) share, customer cash from operations financing, 24% (128 aircraft); sale and leaseback, 17% (89 aircraft); and manufacturer financing, 1%.